borne
2 synonyms for borne, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Carried or supported — used especially as a suffix in words like "airborne" or "waterborne."
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
carried
How to use borne
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
airborne
waterborne
borne out of necessity
Etymology
From Old English "boren," the past participle of "beran" ("to carry, bear") — the same origin as "born," but "borne" kept the general "carried/endured" meaning.
Full origin of borne →Frequently asked questions
What does “borne” mean?
The word “borne” means carried or supported — used especially as a suffix in words like "airborne" or "waterborne.". In plain terms, carried or endured — used for things transmitted or burdens shouldered, not for the act of being born.
How do you pronounce “borne”?
“Borne” is pronounced bawn (/boɹn/ in IPA).
How do you use “borne” in a sentence?
Here is “borne” used in a sentence: “The disease is borne by mosquitoes.”
What part of speech is “borne”?
“Borne” is an adjective.
Where does the word “borne” come from?
The word “borne” comes from Old English. From Old English "boren," the past participle of "beran" ("to carry, bear") — the same origin as "born," but "borne" kept the general "carried/endured" meaning.
Is “borne” a common word?
“Borne” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between borne and born?
Borne is the past participle of "bear" meaning to carry or support, used in phrases like "waterborne" or "she has borne the burden well." Born specifically refers to birth, as in "she was born in 1990," and the two should not be confused despite their similar spelling and pronunciation.
Why do words like airborne and waterborne use borne instead of born?
Words like airborne and waterborne use "borne" because it functions as a suffix meaning "carried by," reflecting the sense of bear meaning to carry or support rather than the birth-related meaning of "born." This distinguishes carried-by compounds from birth-related usage.
